Mondello Park is a pretty tidy race track most days, even on those dark, dim, rain-lashed days when nothing ever seems like it will go right around the tracks. But it really makes an impression only when a showcase event turns up. Then it shines, writes Justin Hynes.
With the stands full, the air full of burning burgers and exhaust fumes and the paddock buzzing with transporters, cars and fans - then Mondello shows you what it's about. Last weekend the three rounds of the British Touring Car Championship did just that.
The British drivers, last here two years ago, will tell you how much they like it in Kildare, a real racing track, old school sensibilities but with increasingly modern facilities. A technical, tricky circuit and the smell of those damn burgers again. And, with a hint of sun peeping through the summer skies, it's about as good a race environment as you can get.
Add Colin Turkington's excellent Irish win in the final BTTC round of the weekend - the Portadown man delivered a flashing drive in his MG from sixth on the opening lap to head the field - and last weekend signalled what Mondello can genuinely aspire to: Top international racing, with varied, ultra competitive fields, racing on a circuit that's getting better by the month.
Slotting in nicely is Formula Ireland. Slicks and wings, cars that are as quick as F3s but a whole lot better looking and some genuine talented racing - young Emmet Queenan victorious again and looking sharper and sharper - the series is a seriously good class. Indeed, it's constantly amazing to see kids spending fortunes coming out of karts and heading straight to 100-grand-a-season drives in Britain and Europe when the perfect education is sitting on the doorstep at a fraction of the cost.
So, what did we get? British Formula BMWs, Formula Ireland, a first corner melee in the Porsche Cup taking out invitees Damien Faulkner and Robby Coleman. Frustrating but impressive drives in the same class from Clonee's Jonathan Fildes and Turkington in the touring cars.
A quality weekend of racing on a circuit that put many British tracks to shame. Great sport, great fun and not a lot of money spent - except for those damn burgers.